Welcome to BlackPast 3.0

The wait is over—the new BlackPast.org is officially live! We’ve redesigned our site to bring you a modern, user-friendly experience that makes exploring Black history easier and more engaging than ever.

BlackPast is dedicated to providing reliable information on the history of Black people across the globe, and especially in North America. Our goal is to promote greater understanding of our common human experience through knowledge of the diversity of the Black experience and the ubiquity of the global Black presence. Welcome to the largest online encyclopedia on African American and Global African history on the Internet.

In Defense of Black History

This editorial page is part of an ongoing effort to present the ideas and opinions of individuals both within and beyond BlackPast.org that address the pressing issues and challenges facing African Americans and people of African Ancestry around the world, which are rooted in their historical experiences.

Featured Article

Shirley Chisholm was a true trailblazer. As the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to run for president, she broke through barriers and fought for change in ways that still resonate today. Find out more about her incredible legacy by visting her BlackPast article.

The Interactive African American History Timeline

Discover the rich and inspiring stories of Black history through our interactive timeline, highlighting key moments and figures that have shaped our world. Dive in and explore how history connects to the present and inspires the future!

The African Capitals

Africa’s capitals are full of life, history, and culture. From the energy of Lagos to the charm of Cairo, each city has its own story to tell. Discover what makes these places special on our African Capitals page.

What’s New on BlackPast?

Pharoah Narmer (??—??)

Pharoah Narmer was the Egyptian monarch credited with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt in 3100 BCE...
The Trans-Saharan Trade (Guido Picardi)

The Trans-Saharan Salt and Gold Trade (500 BCE-1800 AD)

The Trans-Saharan Salt and Gold Trade was the major economic and cultural exchange between North...
Migration Out of Africa (topographicmapofusa.com)

Early Migration Out of Africa (70,000 B.C.E to 50,000 B.C.E)

Africa, the cradle of humanity, is significant in our collective history. It was here that Homo...

Explore More On BlackPast

Grand Opening, National Museum of African American History and Culture, September 24, 2016

Black History Will Not Be Erased

In the article below, Quintard Taylor, the founder of BlackPast.org, describes the recent attempts...
Dingiswayo Memorial Stone (alchetron.com)

Dingiswayo (1760-1817)

Dingiswayo, meaning "one in distress or exile," was a Paramount Chief of the Mthethwa, a title...
Chief Justice George W. Draper III (The Missouri Bar)

George W. Draper III (1953- )

The Honorable George W. Draper, the first African American to serve as Chief Judge on the Missouri...
Arthur F. Elmes (Courtesy of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity)

Arthur F. Elmes (1890-1963)

Pastor, Civil Rights Activist, and Boulé President Arthur F. Elmes, was born on March 30, 1890, in...

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